About the role#
As a PhD Machine Learning intern, you will work on research and development projects that influence Pinterest product features. You will gain hands-on experience with production ML systems, including algorithmic research, infrastructure, data engineering, and inference. This is a 12-week paid, full-time internship occurring during the summer of 2027.
What you'll do#
- Lead a project from start to finish.
- Contribute to research in machine learning and artificial intelligence that can be applied to Pinterest problems.
- Leverage frontier AI tools and agents to accelerate engineering implementation, prototyping, and experimentation.
- Validate AI-generated outputs through testing, code review, and critical thinking.
- Use AI to investigate bugs, summarize technical documentation, and understand unfamiliar code.
- Write clean, efficient, and sustainable code.
- Take proactive ownership over the quality and completion of your tasks.
What you'll need#
- Currently working towards a PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Information Sciences, or a related field.
- Proficiency in at least one systems language (Java, C++, Python) or one ML framework (Tensorflow, Pytorch, MLFlow).
- Proficiency with AI-native engineering and agent-first development tools.
- Strong critical thinking skills when evaluating AI-generated suggestions.
- Experience in research and solving analytical, open-ended problems.
- Comfort iterating on prompts and refining workflows.
- Ability to communicate effectively and work well within a team.
- Publications in machine learning, AI, or related technical fields are preferred.
- Interest in applying ML to real-world product problems is preferred.
Location & details#
- Locations: San Francisco, CA; Palo Alto, CA; Seattle, WA; New York, NY.
- Modality: Remote or hybrid, depending on the team.
- Term: Summer 2027 (12 weeks).
- Start dates: May 17, 2027, or June 14, 2027.
- Compensation: $12,100 monthly.
About Pinterest
Pinterest operates a visual discovery platform for users to search, save, and shop for ideas. The company is based in San Francisco and was founded in 2010. It functions as a public company with over 13,000 employees. The platform serves more than 600 million monthly active users globally.
How to get in at Pinterest
Securing an internship at Pinterest requires speed, as the most competitive roles often fill quickly. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first. Early applicants get seen before the pile grows, which is a significant advantage in a high-volume process. You can also improve your odds by reaching out to the people actually hiring for these positions. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the role or a referral. This direct approach materially improves response rates compared to submitting an application into a general queue.
